The next day.
"Have you heard?"
"What?"
"Someone beat Senju Nawaki."
"Huh? The other person must be a ninja, right? I don't think anyone his age has ever beaten Senju Nawaki. He's the young head of the Senju Clan, after all."
"No, it was someone his own age."
"Really? Who was it? Has Konoha produced another genius?"
"I heard his name's Shangguan Yue."
"Seriously?"
"Of course. The Senju Clan themselves let it slip."
"Huh?"
"I can't talk anymore. I've got things to do."
"Have you heard?"
--
While things were quiet where Shangguan Yue was, Konoha was abuzz. Everyone was eager to talk about the newly emerged genius.
At the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the report in his hand and exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"Why is it Shangguan again? At least Tsunade has already taken him on as a student. That makes him my grandstudent, too. With that connection, in the future..."
Hiruzen muttered under his breath, his voice growing softer and softer. His expression was extremely complicated: fear, dread, and relief at having narrowly escaped disaster.
If anyone had seen this, they would have been astonished. The Hokage was actually afraid. That said it all.
"Sakumo."
"Here."
"Go and bring Tsunade back to take over."
"Yes."
--
Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi's uncertainty, Shimura Danzō was openly greedy.
"Looks like Shangguan Yue inherited his talent. And he's also a mixed-blood Uchiha. He'd be extremely valuable for research.
"Too bad the research on the First has been halted, so I can only work in secret. Hmph.
"Never mind. I'll let you grow a little longer, so I can see more of your value."
Danzō waved his hand, and his subordinate withdrew. He himself walked into the darkness and entered an underground chamber...
--
At that moment, Shangguan Yue left Tsunade's home and deliberately wandered around the Senju Compound. Sure enough, it wasn't long before—
A painfully ordinary-looking passerby, with the Senju Clan crest on his clothes, jumped out and blocked Shangguan Yue's path.
"You're Shangguan Yue?"
"That's me. What do you want?"
"I, Senju Chengshu, challenge you. Do you dare?"
"Sure. Five thousand ryo. That's my appearance fee."
"You... Fine, I'll pay."
Senju Chengshu tossed over his money pouch. Shangguan Yue caught it and opened it. "Ptooey, ptooey." He moistened his fingertips and counted the money right in front of him.
Chengshu's brows furrowed. He snapped, "Are you done yet?"
"Don't rush me. You actually gave me an extra thousand. I'll keep it; it's not like I need to give it back. Come on."
"Hmph. You think you can keep everything that's mine? I'll take it all back! Aah!!"
Senju Chengshu used Taijutsu and charged at Shangguan Yue with his fist raised.
Shangguan Yue didn't dodge. He formed Hand Seals and went straight for the Water Style: Great Water Ball!
Chengshu, charging straight at him, collided head-on with the water ball. Luckily, Shangguan Yue had used only half his chakra. The ball wasn't very big, but it still packed a punch.
Senju Chengshu fell to the ground and lay there clutching his chest, groaning.
Shangguan Yue checked the log.
"Defeated Senju Chengshu. Rating: Average. Obtained one challenge opportunity."
Shangguan Yue's face lit up, his eyes filled with longing. He looked at the Senju onlookers around him, then sneered at Chengshu.
"Senju Chengshu, you're no good, either. Sigh, is there no one here who can fight?"
Shangguan Yue's contemptuous attitude toward the Senju Clan made the onlookers furious.
"Hey, kid! Don't look down on us. Just because Tsunade's backing you doesn't mean I'm afraid of you. Come on, let's spar!"
Shangguan Yue glanced at the Chunin vest on the man and shook his head. "Mister, I'm still a kid. I only accept challenges from people my own age."
"Aaargh! Are you scared, kid?"
"Are you saying you want to pick on someone smaller than you?"
"Enough. Stop making a scene."
"But, Elder Senju Yunting, the Senju Clan can't be insulted. I just can't stand it."
"Hm?"
Senju Yunting narrowed his eyes. The Chunin shrank back in fear, fell silent, and slunk back into the crowd.
Senju Yunting looked at Shangguan Yue, his expression unreadable. "Young man, are you willing to accept challenges from the younger generation of my clan?"
"I accept. I'll take on as many as you send."
"Good."
Senju Yunting whispered a few words into someone's ear. Once the person had received his instructions and left, Yunting looked at a patch of open ground nearby.
He shouted, "Earth Release: Earth Platform Technique!"
The ground rose up as clouds of dust billowed. When the dust cleared, a ten-meter arena stood before them.
"Young man, go ahead. Please go easy on them."
"Whoa, that's so awesome! It's huge!"
Shangguan Yue was a little confused by Senju Yunting's showmanship, but he'd get a challenge opportunity out of this. He might as well take it.
Without another thought, Shangguan Yue leaped high into the air and landed on the arena.
Before long, a large crowd gathered below the arena. They all looked like young people.
"Elder Yunting!"
Everyone stood at attention in neat rows. Senju Yunting was very pleased.
"Youngsters, do you see the arena in front of you?"
"We do."
"Whoever beats the guy up there will get a C-rank ninjutsu. Who wants to go?"
"Me! Me!"
"I'll go!"
One after another, they eagerly volunteered. Shangguan Yue was speechless.
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